Putting Consumer Experience Back into Consumer Research: The Philosophy and Method of Existential-Phenomenology

Existential-phenomenology is presented as an alternative paradigm for conceptualizing and studying consumer experience. Basic theoretical tenets of existential-phenomenology are contrasted with more traditional assumptions and methods used in consumer research. The metaphors used by each paradigm to...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of consumer research 1989-09, Vol.16 (2), p.133-146
Main Authors: Thompson, Craig J., Locander, William B., Pollio, Howard R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cartesianism
Conceptual frameworks
Consumer research
Consumers
Existentialism
Lifeworld
Marketing
Phenomena
Phenomenology
Research Methodology
Research methods
Shopping
Theoretical Problems
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Existential-phenomenology is presented as an alternative paradigm for conceptualizing and studying consumer experience. Basic theoretical tenets of existential-phenomenology are contrasted with more traditional assumptions and methods used in consumer research. The metaphors used by each paradigm to describe its world view are provided and their respective implications for consumer research discussed. One phenomenological research method is detailed, and examples of how the method is applied and the type of data it produces are provided. An epistemological analysis reveals that existential-phenomenology can provide an empirically based and methodologically rigorous understanding of consumer phenomena.
ISSN:0093-5301
1537-5277
DOI:10.1086/209203